European Union's Prime Minister Kallas emerges as leading contender for the position of the EU's Foreign Policy Chief.
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According to global political magazine, Politico, Estonia's Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, is the talk of the town for the next High Rep of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission. The position, currently held by Spanish politician Josep Borrell, won't be retaining him in the next European Commission.
Politico reports that despite the High Rep's role not packing much practical power, with national foreign ministers often playing a decisive part, small member countries see value in it. Baltic countries, especially Estonia, aim for a louder voice on EU foreign policy, with a tougher stance against Russia.
Kaja Kallas has been touted as the leading candidate for the job in Brussels. Macron's office is rumored to have been eyeing her to succeed Borrell, but France is keeping its options open, according to Politico. A source stated that there's a good rapport between Macron and Kallas, and they share similar perspectives.
Conversely, EU members farther from Russia are wary of Kalla's criticisms of Russia and fear she may focus too intently on Russia, with less attention given to the rest of the world.
Otherpossibles for the High Rep role include:
- Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium,
- Sophie Wilmès, former Prime Minister of Belgium,
- Xavier Bettel, Foreign Minister of Luxembourg,
- Radek Sikorski, Foreign Minister of Poland,
- Micheál Martin, former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, HRVP for short, is the coordinator and representative of the common foreign and security policy within the European Union. The HRVP leads regular meetings of the EU's 27 foreign, defense, and development ministers and represents the EU at G7 and G20 ministerial meetings.
- Estonia's Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, is a candidate for the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission, a position currently held by Josep Borrell who will not be in the commission's next term.
- Despite the High Rep role not having extensive practical power, small member countries like Estonia view it as beneficial for a louder voice on EU foreign policy, particularly with a tougher stance against Russia.
- ongoing discussions among EU members suggest that Kaja Kallas' criticisms of Russia may lead to a focus that is too intense on Russia, potentially at the expense of attention given to other parts of the world.
